Virginia distilling likely goes back to when the colony began.Destination Virginia / Coastal Virginia DistilleriesA Warehouse, an Armory, and a 1927 Hotel: Where Coastal Virginia Distills Virginia was among the first English colonies, and distilling here likely...
In June 2026, Denver ranked No. 5 in USA Today’s 10 Best Walkable Cities to Visit.Destination Colorado / Cheesman Park Restaurants, DenverThe Carriage House brings back one of Cheesman Park Restaurants best patios, and the neighborhood around it gives you every reason...
Just over 110 acres of planted vines are spread across 133 square miles of the Dahlonega Plateau, a small footprint producing an outsized range of wines.Destination Georgia / Dahlonega Wine CountryWhen you visit Georgia Wine Country in the North Georgia Mountains, the...
Many hands-on cooking classes in wine country incorporate their local grape, like this Garnacha from the Aragon region of Spain, into the menu. It's a fast-track to the heart of flavor. ©Dawn DamicoCulinary Travel / Hands-on cooking classes in wine countryA...
Christina, Sandy, and Evangelos Kalogris at Kalorgis Winery (Tatiana is not pictured here) . ©Dawn DamicoDestination Greece / Peloponnese WineHow one family in Arcadia, Greece, is rewriting what a small winery can be.I stood in the shadow of Mount Mainalo as the...
Tradation says it's the Blood of Heracles. True or not, every cluster carries a little mythology. ©Dawn DamicoDestination Greece-Nafplio / Nemea Wine TrailVines have grown in the hills around Nemea for thousands of years. But even before the first vine was planted,...
Family farms in the Endless Mountains region of Pennsylvania have embraced a "softer" industry...wine cultivation. ©Dawn DamicoDestination Pennsylvania / Pennsylvania wineLogging, coal mines, and steel. These are the industries that define Pennsylvania. But wine?...
Pittsburgh has more bridges than Venice, Italy. ©Dawn DamicoDestination Chile / Chile Wine HarvestWhen late summer fades across the Southern Hemisphere, a centuries-old tradition awakens in Chile's wine valleys. The vendimia—the grape harvest festival—arrives with...
Cúrate has transformed a 1920s era bus station into a farm-to-table destination. ©Dawn DamicoDestination North Carolina/ Farm to Table AshevilleI wasn’t aware a polar vortex was heading to Asheville as I planned for an early spring getaway from Florida. While the...
Approachable, educational, and fun...that's how wine tasting with a Master Sommelier can be. ©Dawn DamicoCulinary Travel / Wine / Common Wine QuestionsWine tasting experiences are perfect for enhancing any trip and when you have answers to some common wine questions,...
Connecticut was one of the first states to pass craft distillery legislation allowing for tasting rooms and direct-to-consumer sales, helping to spark the current craft spirits boom.Destination Connecticut / Connecticut craft spiritsConnecticut's craft spirits scene...
Travel allows you to explore a culture through it's food.Travel / Culinary Travel / Culinary Events April 11, 2025 EditionWelcome to your Curated Culinary Events This Week: April 11, 2025, an essential companion for culinary wanderlust! Every month, we'll bring you a...
Exploring the food scene is one of the best ways to experience a place.Spring Travel Southeast USNeed inspiration for spring travel in Southeast US? As spring break approaches and winter releases its grip, the Southeast emerges as 2025's most compelling destination...
Blossom & Brie Farmside DiningFarmside dining Fort Myers: A small sign modestly posted along a country road in Southwest Florida marks the entrance to another world. As you wind down the long driveway of Blossom & Brie, white rail fencing guides you through 86...
An unexpected culinary journey—shrimp tacos that bring tropical flair to the forest, beautifully arranged on a weathered wooden board. ©Dawn DamicoDestination Destination Pennsylvania│Unique RestaurantsSome say Polymath Park is a place where the past will always have...
![DaRuMa Japanese Steak House and Sushi Lounge [Sarasota, FL Restaurant]](https://www.vitabellamagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Restaurant-Sarasota-Daruma-Japanese-Steak-House-400x250.jpg)
DaRuMa Japanese Steak House & Sushi LoungeStep into DaRuMa, where exceptional Japanese cuisine meets entertainment in a sophisticated atmosphere. This upscale establishment, with locations across Sarasota and Fort Myers, masterfully combines the excitement of...
Coastal Mississippi Dining scene has some surprising culinary offerings to compliment their long-standing reputation for fresh seafood. Dive in and explore what to eat…
Some hibernate inside for the winter or fly south to escape the cold, others flock to Niagara for Canada’s coolest wine festival. Learn more…
Keel Farms Agrarian Ales and Ciders in Plant City, is a blueberry farm, disguised as a winery. And that’s not all! Find out what to do in Plant City.
Sharktoberfest at Mote Aquarium in Sarasota welcomed a sold-out crowd to their courtyard to enjoy craft beer and other beverages, local vendors, live music and more. Learn about what the 2023 inaugural event was like!
Traveling is an opportunity to savor the world’s flavors. Discover 7 Tips: How to find the best restaurant when traveling…from travel pros
Images of European destinations usually come to mind when talking about wine country. But once you arrive for your weekend getaway to Cleveland and Helen GA, you’ll experience a soul-satisfying feeling that only the south can provide. Learn more!
Savannah trip ideas from a local! Go beyond the must-do tourist spots at this historic Georgia riverfront city, to the unforgettable places locals love.
Healdsburg Wine and Food Experience is your chance to see and taste the bounty from Sonoma County, California. Find out why you should put this event on your calendar!
What happens when a couple decides to go for their dreams rather grind away in the corporate world? Meet Bells Up Winery…
There’s a bright future for Wine in Sonoma County: sustainable farming initiative launched to keep the 200+ wine legacy thriving for generations to come, learn more.
Are you missing out on the best watermelon health benefits when you throw away the rind and spit out the seeds? Find out and learn about Florida’s Melon King.
The history of apples in America may have roots in the Garden of Eden, but it traveled from Asia, to France, to Virginia because of its benefits for healing body and soul…find out more
What you do once your feet hit the floor in the morning can make a big difference for the rest of the day…and a lifetime! Here are 3 healthy breakfast choices that are high in protein, low in processed sugar, and loaded with taste
Florida’s Key Lime Pie is something you love or don’t. However, as one of the darling citrus fruits from the southern states, you are sure to find your favorite variety among its history. Learn more.
You’ll be drawn in by its culinary traditions, landscape, and a distinct culture A small beautiful region like no other, Basque country and its residents are indigenous to an area located around the western end of the Pyrenees mountains on the coast of the Bay of...
Nursery Rhymes, Stomach Lining, and the History of Cheese in America. Did you know that folklore was passed down in songs as well as on the plate. Follow the trail of cheese to America.
Strawberry Fields Forever... Strawberries are a colorful, fresh, organic healthy choice for breakfast and snacking... Food History: Strawberries in the Colonial Times Strawberries grew wild for centuries and were enjoyed by many Europeans, although much smaller in...
Southern cooking recipes: For many they are staples; for some an occasional treat. But boy, oh boy, are they somethin’. Moon pies, fried shrimp, hushpuppies and tea…real sugar only please!
Starting your day with a quality plant protein kick starts your healthy eating habit A healthy, protein rich breakfast doesn't have to be hearty to be healthy... Best Protein for Breakfast They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. And while the...
10% of Vermont’s dairy farms closed last year. Goat milk may be just the "out of the box" thinking dairy farmers need... 10% of Vermont’s dairy farms closed last year.That’s the word from state agricultural officials. And, at the Northern Tier Dairy Summit held on...
Dancing All Night Until the Chocolate Runs Out…and Other Party Favorites If you are the parent of small children, you will agree that chocolate increases energy. Just slip a kindergartener a chocolate bar an hour before bedtime and let the good times roll!By one...
Were the goldens days of Anahuac filled with chocolate gardens? Mexican mythology enlightens us to the importance of cacao.One of the most sacred traditions of the Indians of Mexico hints we may be indebted to Divine providence for chocolate’s introduction to...
From the hills of Scotland to the shores of the New World, the journey of fried chicken didn’t start with the colonel…or a gas station. Learn more about one of America’s favorite fried foods.
Chocoholics can blame the Olmecs for their obsession…but we aren’t complaining. Join me on a chocolate tour in Oaxaca and get a taste of chocolate and history
5 Protein Packed Peanut Butter Recipes Nutty meals that look as delicious as they taste...healthy too! During World War II it was called "Monkey Butter" and according to some reports, Americans spend over $800 million every year on the stuff. Peanut butter...
A morning in historic downtown Alexandria, Virginia is an opportunity to stop for breakfast at Jacskson 20. American dining with a menu of classic dishes our forefathers would have loved! Read the review here…
Where do Brown Rice Benefits Fit With Your Whole Food Choices (and a recipe) In the spirit of leading a healthier existence and going back to what is natural and wholesome; many ‘old’ and trusted foods have re-entered our shopping carts and pantries. From...
Early American Cooking: Ocean cockroaches were out; swan stew was in. Explore our foodie roots in the coloinies and a brief history of American recipes – dig in!
Finally...Keto Breakfast Casserole done easy…and the health benefits behind this popular diet With so much information (and mis-information) about food, eating, and health, we seem to complicate things... You want to be healthy, skinny, strong, happy, and rich and you...
For those looking for the Best Wood Fired Pizza...we've got you covered! We asked our readers to share their favorite Wood-Fired Pizza places across the globe. The cheesy, ooey, gooey, crispy and delicious results came in. All in time for National Pizza...
This moist and delicious Chocolate Caramel Cake recipe is part of the Lost Recipes collection. Ready for more? Click through
Review this collection of vintage cookbooks to learn how to cook in the most basic kitchens.
Ingredients: 1/2 cup Butter1 cup Sugar1 Egg2 ounces Unsweetened Chocolate Squares2 1/4 cups Flour1/4 teaspoon Salt2 teaspoons Baking Powder1/4 cup Milk1/2 teaspoon VanillaSeveral large Marshmallows, cut in half (optional) This simple chocolate cookie is part of our...
![A Frog Named Giovanni [A Dinner Story About Best Ravioli-Store Bought]](https://www.vitabellamagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/VB_sz-ravioli-pasta-pesto-400x250.jpg)
Dinner without your favorite Verona pasta is no laughing matter! Read this dinner story, Giovanni Rana, and why every Italian market should carry the best from everyone’s favorite boot-shaped country
You may think you know all the benefits of tea and have you ever wondered how drinking tea and health have evolved? Are we the matcha gurus? Or did those before us “do” tea better? Find out more…
North African cuisine may soon be on your top 10 list of favorites... Morocco, located in the North West region of Africa, is separated from Europe by the Strait of Gibraltar, becoming a mix between European, Arabian, African and Berber cultures. This melting pot has...
Fasting may improve the negative affects of aging... They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But who are “they” and why do they say it? Even more important: What are the best hot breakfast choices? Breaking Your Fast Breakfast is, literally,...
An Italian meringue prepared with honey, nougat and fruit confit, on a red berries sorbet… The heritage of honey in Orlando dates back 500 years... That’s the new award-winning signature dish for Orlando, Florida. The city of Orlando held a culinary competition which...
![The Tradition of Christmas Dinnerware [pssst…it’s more than plates…]](https://www.vitabellamagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/chirstmas-dinnerware-tradition-400x250.jpg)
I never thought of them as particularly important. Nice to have over the holidays, certainly, Festive, even. Spode, with the iconic Christmas tree in the center of the plates, bowls, platters. Gaily wrapped presents under that tree. Sprigs of holly scattered about and...
It's all in the tools... Any craftsman will tell you it’s much easier to create a masterpiece when you have the right tools. Same thing goes for the kitchen! And, you don’t have to be an accomplished chef to create meals at home which taste like a masterpiece and...
How healthy is that boxed meal? Hummus sprinkled with flax...get the goodness of legumes Over 75% of shoppers claim to read the nutritional and ingredient labels when buying food. That’s according to Food Business News and it’s a great trend. Ingredients you cannot...
Homemade cookies are the only way to go when you want something healthy, sweet and delicious. These trail mix cookies will become a fast favorite! Simple to make with basic healthy ingredients are a real crowd-pleaser.
![Simple Egg Salad [Great to Dip or Fill]](https://www.vitabellamagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Egg-Salad-Recipe-featured-healthy-lunch-400x250.jpg)
Egg Salad Ingredients: Makes 4 cups 6 Eggs, hard boiled and chopped ½ cup Plain Greek Yogurt 2 Tbsp Avocado Mayonnaise ¼ cup Olive Oil 2 tsp Honey Mustard ½ cup Celery, chopped ¼ cup Onion, chopped ½ tsp Paprika Salt & Pepper to taste Optional: Avocados or...
![Beef and Barley Soup Recipe[Cold Weather Comfort]](https://www.vitabellamagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/beef-barley-soup-recipe-feature-400x250.jpg)
Ingredients: 1lb Boneless Beef Chuck Roast 2-3 Tbsp Flour ½ cup Milk 1tsp Salt ½ tsp Pepper ¼ cup Olive Oil 1 cup Onion, chopped 2 stalks Celery, sliced thick 3 cloves Garlic, minced 1 cup Pearl Barley 1 cup Carrots, chopped 4 cups Chicken Broth (low sodium) ¼ cup...
![Grilled Pork Loin and Nectarine Salad [Juicy and Sweet]](https://www.vitabellamagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Grilled-Pork-Loin-Nectarine-Salad-dinner-on-a-budget-featured-400x250.png)
You are in for a healthy and budget friendly treat with this Pork Loin Salad that is hearty enough to be the Main Meal!
![Making Memories in the Kitchen [Save Money and Build Families]](https://www.vitabellamagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/VB-Blog-Featured-Image-wText-overlay-Health-and-Food-11-2022-70-400x250.jpg)
What would you rather do: Blow your monthly budget on food, or create memories with people you love? For many families, grocery shopping forces them to choose fast and easy (and expensive) over fun and leisure. Well, that’s about to change. Do you cringe at the cost...
![Minestrone Soup [Healthy Italian Comfort Food]](https://www.vitabellamagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Minestrone-Soup-featured-400x250.png)
I love soup season! Warm, comfy, and wrapped up in love and healthy goodness. This is simple to make so why not get a pot simmering right now?
![Salmon with Easy Marinara Sauce [What’s for Dinner?]](https://www.vitabellamagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Salmon-with-Marinara-Sauce-featured-400x250.jpg)
You’ll be amazed at how simple it is to cook salmon for a healthy dinner! On the grill or in the oven this recipe will make you love eating fish every week.
![Coconut Pineapple Smoothies [Like an Instant Tropical Vacation!]](https://www.vitabellamagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Coconut-pineapple-smoothie-featured-image-400x250.png)
Paper umbrella and beach chair optional... Coconut and smoothies just seem to blend together like toes in the sand. Try this combination next time you head to the kitchen: Blend together: 1 cup Pineapple chunks, frozen ¼ cup Greek yogurt, plain ¼ cup Coconut milk (I...
Passing by the bakery window you get a rush of memories as the warm, sweet scent of “something special” is pulled fresh from the oven. But is it the anticipation of a treat for your tongue or the sweet memories attached to that warm pastry which cause you to pause and...
You never know what you’ll find when wandering the California coast in the fog… There is a lot to love about LaJolla California, one of San Diego’s prettiest (and most expensive) seaside villages. We were heading home after a day in downtown San Diego and didn’t...
Preparing healthy meals is easier than you thought! With these meal prep guides you can create easy dinner, lunch and breakfast recipes for several weeks. Discover the magic of ordering in.
Iced tea is the healthy beverage of choice. It’s simple to make, makes drinking more water easy, and a combo of green tea and fresh fruits provides antioxidant protection. Here are 6 recipes to try this summer!